This program was developed by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) to address the education needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a Master’s degree in library and information science. This program is intended to assist public library staff members who are working toward securing a library degree by awarding funds to the employing public library for reimbursement of employee(s) course tuition costs at the undergraduate or graduate level.

This program was developed by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) to address the education needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a Master’s degree in library and information science. This program is intended to assist public library staff members who are working toward securing a library degree by awarding funds to the employing public library for reimbursement of employee(s) course tuition costs at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Latest revision as of 13:56, 15 October 2008

Each year, the ALA and its member units seek to honor, through its Awards Program, those who have rendered distinguished service to libraries and librarianship. Some of the awards with particular relevance to students include:

AASL/Highsmith Research Grant
Established in 1993, the grant of up to $5,000 is awarded to conduct innovative research aimed at measuring and evaluating the impact of school library media programs on learning and education. Applicants must be AASL personal members.

Grow Your Own @ Your Library Institutional Scholarship
This program was developed by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) to address the education needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a Master’s degree in library and information science. This program is intended to assist public library staff members who are working toward securing a library degree by awarding funds to the employing public library for reimbursement of employee(s) course tuition costs at the undergraduate or graduate level.

BRASS Thomson Financial Student Travel Award
A $1,000 cash award given to a student enrolled in an ALA accredited master's degree program to attend the ALA Annual Conference and a one-year membership in the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) of RUSA.

Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
This award fosters research in academic librarianship by encouraging and assisting doctoral students in the field with their dissertation research.

First Step Award
This Wiley Professional Development Grant is intended to provide librarians new to the serials field with the opportunity to broaden their perspective and to encourage professional development in ALA Conference and participation in Serials Section activities.

LAMA/YBP Student Writing & Development Award
The LAMA/YBP Student Writing and Development Award is given to honor the best article on a topic in the area of library administration and management written by a student enrolled in a library and information studies graduate program. The purpose of this award is to enhance the professional development of students of library and information studies through publication of the winning article in Library Administration & Management, the LAMA magazine, and enabling the award recipient to attend the ALA Annual Conference.

LITA/Endeavor Student Writing Award
The LITA/Endeavor Student Writing Award is given for the best unpublished manuscript on a topic in the area of libraries and information technology written by a student or students enrolled in an ALA-accredited library and information studies graduate program.

Dain Library History Dissertation Award
The award, named in honor of a library historian widely known as a supportive advisor and mentor as well as a rigorous scholar and thinker, recognizes outstanding dissertations in the general area of library history.

ALA Annual Diversity Research Grant Program
The Diversity Research Grant consists of a one-time $2000 annual award for original research and a $500 travel grant to attend and present at ALA Annual Conference. Three grants are awarded each year.

Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research
Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research is given for a research articles published in English during the calendar year, nominated by any member of LRRT or by the editors of research journals in the field of library and information studies.